1st Meeting

The 1st meeting of the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics (ESNCH) took place in Munich/Germany, August 29th- September 1st, 1996 The president of the meeting was Professor J. Klingelhöfer, the secretary of the meeting was PD Eva Bartels. One of the honorary presidents was the well known pioneer of neurosonology Prof. H.R. Müller from Basel. The main aim of the meeting was to give a wide summary of the current state of research in cerebral hemodynamics. Beside clinical aspects, the combination of transcranial Dopplersonography with other imaging methods and the application in the intensive care units, the detection of microemboli and the application of ultrasound contrast mediums were in the centre of the contributions. More than 500 registered participants from many different countries in Europe, as well as the Middle East, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, USA and South America were present. The meeting consisted of more than 70 lectures and 180 posters. The presentations covered all new and relevant aspects both diagnostic and clinical ones of cerebral hemodynamics. Selected presentations of the meeting formed the basis of the book "New Trends in Cerebral Hemodynamics and Neurosonology" (Elsevier, 1997; eds: J. Klingelhöfer, E. Bartels, E.B. Ringelstein). Pleasant opportunity to make new friends was the welcome party in the exquisite art gallery "Lenbachhaus" and the unforgettable Bavarian Dinner in the famous Bavarian "Biergarten Kreitmair" which was completed by a folklore program and an award for outstanding posters.

2nd meeting

The 2nd meeting of the ESNCH was held in Zeist/Utrecht, Netherlands, on May 25th - 28th, 1997. The president of the meeting was Professor R.G.A. Ackerstaff. In all aspects this meeting was also a great success. In Zeist there were over 200 participants, 24 oral presentations and more than 125 poster presentations

3rd meeting

The 3rd meeting of the ESNCH was held in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 25th - 27th, 1998 in conjunction with the 4th British Transcranial Doppler Conference. The president of the meeting was Professor Donald G. Grosset. There were more than 200 delegates from across Europe representing the society with excellent presentations from the former Eastern Block of Europe, but in addition to this we extended a warm welcome to colleagues from North America, the Middle and Far East and Australia. It was a very interesting and varied meeting in the Walton Conference Centre of Glasgow. No meeting of this stature is complete without the social events, and we had the warm hand of welcome from the City Council where delegates met in the Glasgow City Chambers for a reception. There it appeared that most got to understand some of the Scottish jokes and within that some of the uniquely Glasgowegian humour. The celebration Gala Dinner in the Piping Centre Glasgow had its natural focus on the bagpipe music of the country with some superb tunes and impromptu invited contributions from Mario Siebler and the president of the meeting Professor Donald G. Grosset, treating the audience to the sight of both of them in kilts.

4th meeting

The 4th meeting of the ESNCH was held in Venice, Italy, April 10th - 13th, 1999. The president of the meeting was Professor E. Zanette. More than 200 excellent platform and poster presentations, as well as tutorials reflected impressively the interest in this meeting and its scientific significance. The substantial number of more than 400 attendees did not only come from Europe, but also from North America, Asia and Australia. "The Fondazione Cini" on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore was such a memorable venue, that more than 200 years ago Goethe honoured it by saying: "There is no place which stands comparison with the space opposite piazza San Marco; I mean that great mirror of water which is embraced like a crescent by the city itself. Beyond this expanse of water, one can see on the left the island of San Giorgio Maggiore".

5th meeting

The 5th meeting of the ESNCH was held in Graz, Austria, May 21st - 23rd, 2000. The president of the meeting was Professor K. Niederkorn. The meeting was held at the Grazer Congress Conference Center, which is situated in the heart of the old city. Although the simultaneous city fair was some competition, the attendance at the 2 tutorials and 9 scientific sessions and 2 special symposia - with 233 registered congress participants - was very good. In addition to the latest research results of the traditional topics in Neurosonology, new aspects like Neuronavigation, Neurointervention and ultrasound-enhanced Thrombolysis were reported and discussed. The hospitality of the Mayor of Graz and of the Governor of Styria resulted into well-attendand receptions as the social highlights of the Congress.

6th meeting

The 6th meeting of the ESNCH has been held in Lisboa, Portugal, May 13th -15th, 2001 in association with the Neurosonology Research Group of World Federation of Neurology (WFN). The president of the meeting was Professor V. Oliveira. An attractive program was presented to the attendants covering both traditional and new advances in Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics. Social events were held every day allowing a relaxed atmosphere facilitating the communication among all of us and strengthening the sense of togetherness in the Neurosonology community. Besides most of the attendants took their time to visit the well known sights of Lisboa.

7th meeting

The 7th meeting of the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics took place in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, from May 26th to 28th, 2002 and was excellently organized by the chairmen Mathias Sturzenegger. The impressive scientific meeting was held in the confortable lecture hall of the University Hospital, Inselspital, Bern. The Conference also celebrated the 20th anniversary of TCD, since the first dedicated TCD machine had been constructed at the Inselspital, Bern, and the first paper on the clinical application of TCD had been published in 1982. Bern has recently been chosen as one of the Top International Cities which offers the highest quality of life. The city of Bern is also famous for its beautiful and breathtaking views of some of the most impressive mountains of the Swiss Alps, Eiger and Jungfrau.

8th Meeting

Dr. José-Manuel Moltó-Jorda was the president of the 8th meeting of the ESNCH. It was held in Alicante, Spain, from May 19th to 21st, 2003 and took place in the “Palacio de Congresos del Colegio Oficial de Médicos de la Provincia de Alicante”. An attractive programme, excellent platform and poster presentations as well as tutorials reflected impressively the interest in this meeting. Dr. Moltó and his team succeeded in excellently organizing and arranging an interesting and inspiring event in unique atmosphere. As the picturesque city, which has a three thousand years old history, is situated at the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by the mountains, it has always been an important seaport.

9th Meeting

The 9th meeting of the Society took place in the city hall of Wetzlar, Germany, May 8th to 11th, 2004 and was organised by Prof. Manfred Kaps as president of the meeting. This year the Section of Neurology and the Group of Vascular Ultrasound of the German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM) attached their annual summer meeting to our conference in order to concentrate all activities at one place and one date. The main topics of the congress were focused on clinical applications of neurosonology, the role of ultrasound in stroke prevention and functional testing. Wetzlar, an ancient medieval town, dates back on emperor Friedrich Barbarossa. It has influenced the works of different poets, e.g. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who stayed there 200 years ago and wrote his novel “The sorrows of young Werther”.

10th Meeting

The 10th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Abano Terme, Padova, Italy, from May 21st to 24th, 2005 and was organised by chairman Giorgio Meneghetti. 446 experts attended the meeting coming from Western and Eastern Europe, the USA, the middle and far East, South America and Australia. The attention of the experts was focused on the most recent developments in the various fields of neurosonology, but the running theme of the meeting was the applicability of ultrasound in daily clinical practice. Furthermore, future technological developments and specific applications of ultrasound were also part of the program and received a great acceptance. A touching moment was the section dedicated to Prof. Elietta Maria Zanette at the Aula Magna of the University of Padova, the cradle of the European medicine, and the visit of the anatomical theatre of Fabrici d’Acquapendente which was represented on the logo of the Meeting. We really enjoyed our time in Padova where famous scientists as Copernicus or Galileo Galilei had already worked.

11th Meeting

The 11th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from May 14th to 16th, 2006 and was organised by chairman Mario Siebler. The 11th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from May 14th to 16th, 2006 and was organised by chairman Mario Siebler. In the last years tremendous development in cerebral imaging by CT and MRI had pushed the neurological diagnostic. In the meantime ultrasound (US) technology had also substantial improved. Recent advances lead to level 1, type A evidence that TCD and carotid duplex are recommended elements of a comprehensive stroke center. The 11th Meeting of the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemdodynamics (ESNCH) held in Düsseldorf reflected the current established applications of ultrasound and the basic studies in neurosonology in a very impressive way. Next to the scientific impact of this meeting, every congress visitor was impressed by the vitality of the city with its world-famous Boulevard “Kö”.

12th Meeting

The 12th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Budapest, Hungary, from May 26th to 29th, 2007 and was organised by chairman Lászlo Csiba. This conference has been of outstanding importance because besides hearing about the work of our colleagues from the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics, the members of the Neurosonology Research Group of the World Federation of Neurology and those of the Hungarian Society of Neurosonology had the chance to give an account of their results. The joint efforts of these societies was crowned by this conference, to which a special emphasis was given by the fact that the number of participants that came from Eastern and Central Europe has been unusually high. A total of three-hundred-fourty-three participants came from 42 countries to the meeting. In addition it was the first conference, where next to theoretical also a practical exam was organized. There have been several reasons for choosing Budapest as a venue: it is one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world; the Hungarians’ traditional hospitality and the wonderful weather in May guaranteed, that besides being an excellent scientific conference it has been an everlasting memory for everyone participating. We were able to experience the bright light beauty of the city in the course of the festive evening by taking an unforgettable verspertine boat trip at the Danube.

13th Meeting

The 13th meeting of the ESNCH took place in Genova, Italy, from May 10th to 13th 2008 and was organized by chairman Massimo Del Sette. The conference was a great opportunity for sharing knowledge on new developments in neurovascular ultrasound, from acute stroke to parenchyma and perfusiom imaging, from monitoring to particular fiels such as non-vascular use of ultrasound. More than 330 participants from 35 different countries, 60 invited speakers and 128 excellent platform and poster presentations reflected the interest of the scientific community in the areas covered by our Society. Attendees came from Western, Central and Eastern Europe, as well as from North America and Asia. After the success in Budapest, a theoretical and hands-on test was organized in cooperation eith the Neurosonology Research Group of the World Federation of Neurology: many applied to achieve the International Certification in Neurosonology. Genova and its old harbour area has been a gorgeous place for the Meeting and the good weather gave the delegates a unique opportunity to visit historical places, the famous harbour, pitoresque places and churches and one of the largest Acquariums in Europe.

14th Meeting

The 14th Meeting of ESNCH took place in Riga, Latvia, from May 23rd to 25th 2009 and was organized by Chairperson Galina Baltgaile. Despite of the world-wide financial crisis the 240 participants came from 31 countries. More that 90 participants attended first-day tutorial lectures covered almost all main subjects in neurosonology. More the half of attendees took a part in practical session. Very successful tutorial had shown growing interest for applying for International Certification. From many interesting lectures presented by 40 invited speakers the special attention brought the history and future perspectives of thrombolytic treatment in acute stroke as well as sonothrombolysis, the advances in endovascular interventions and the imaging of cerebral vascularisation and perfusion. Delegates from Europe, Asia, Japan, China and USA having activities in NSRG Meeting and ESNCH board election highly appreciated the work for the society done by President Kurt Niederkorn and elected the new ESNCH President Laszlo Csiba. For the many of the attendees it was a first time to visit Riga and to discover magnificent Jugendstile and mediveal architecture, spacious parks and lovely cafés of the beautiful city as well as picturesque nature and sandy beaches of the Baltic sea cost.

15th Meeting

The 15th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Madrid, Spain, from May 22nd to 25th, 2010 and was organized by Chairman J. Carneado-Ruiz. 315 participants experienced the excellent program consisting of 17 tutorial sessions, 6 symposium sessions, 18 lectures, 44 oral presentations as well as 100 poster presentations and 4 workshops in the beautiful capital of Spain. This gave us a lot of new helpful suggestions in several fields of Neurosonology – including diagnostics and therapy. The amazing cultural environment and beautiful weather made it easy to exchange experiences as well as opinions with colleagues for example during the daily excursions for lunch to the American Museum “Museo de América”. The excellent subway system gave us the chance to shoptalk at a great number of sights in pleasant ambiance. The close by “Arco de la Victoria”, the communicative get-together dinner and the old audience hall with its “noisy desks” will be remembered by all participants

16th Meeting

The 16th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Munich, Germany, 20th - 23rd May 2011. Munich represents a special city for our Society because it was the site of the very first meeting of the ESNCH. The President of that meeting was Prof. Klingelhöfer, currently our webmaster, while the scientific secretary of the meeting was Prof. Eva Bartels, who this time has been the Conference Chairperson. Prof. Bartels presented the conference site and topics during the 15th Meeting of the ESNCH in Madrid.
More than 410 participants from 51 countries pursuited almost 200 various scientific Poster presentations, lectures and Oral presentations. Moreover it was a great pleasure to congratulate our 16 colleagues, who passed the International Certification in Neurosonology., and the 3 winners of the Poster-Prizes. Furthermore we like to thank all participants, speakers and attendants for their commitment and enthusiasm.

17th Meeting

The 17th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Venice, Italy, from May 17th to 20th 2012 and was organized by Chairman Claudio Baracchini and Co-Chairman Giorgio Meneghetti from the Department of Neuroscience of the University of Padua. Venice was once again the center of the neurosonological world, after the 4th ESNCH meeting impeccably organized by our beloved Elietta Zanette in 1999.

Twenty exhibitors/sponsors and more than 450 participants from 40 countries contributed to the success of this conference with their scientific work: 97 poster presentations, 43 invited lectures, 36 oral presentations. All participants in addition to attending the conference were also enchanted by this wonderful city that gives you the feeling of being within a painting. We would like to congratulate the 4 winners of the poster prizes, the 10 colleagues who passed the Examination for the International Certification in Neurosonology and all of you for making this event very successful and unforgettable.

18th Meeting

The 18th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Porto, Portugal, from May 24th to 27th 2013 and was organized by the Chairman Elsa Azevedo and her Co-Chair Vitor Oliveira. It was characterized by lively discussions and a positive atmosphere. 402 participants from 47 countries met at the Porto Palácio Hotel to share over 150 presentations and more than 40 lectures. Porto offered a fantastic scenery for the exchange of knowledge and enriched the tradition of the ESNCH-meetings as an event.

19th Meeting

The 19th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Rome, Italy, from May 10th to May 13th, 2014 and was chaired by Edoardo Vicenzini and Marina Diomedi. 264 participants from 41 countries met in Rome to listen to the 35 oral presentations or participate at the 38 advanced tutorials. For the first time, the basic and advanced tutorials had been organized minimally with theory and as much as possible with live demonstrations on 32 real everyday patients, that kindly accepted to participate to the event.

20th Meeting

The 20th Meeting of the ESNCH took place in Zadar, Croatia, from May 8th to May 11th, 2015.
Prof. Branko Malojcic was the meeting Chair, while the co-Chair was Prof. Anamarija Mrden.
The aim of the meeting was to focus on innovations in science, technical progress, clinical applications, and in improving clinical practice of neurosonology and stroke management. It was an inspiring meeting. We would like to congratulate the 10 colleagues who passed the Examination for the International Certification in Neurosonology.

21st Meeting

The 21th meeting of the ESNCH took place in Budapest, Hungary from 13 to 16 May, 2016. The conference was organised by the chairman of the Hungarian Sociaty of Neurosonology, László Németh in close collaboration with Attila Csányi, László Oláh and the former president of ESNCH, László Csiba. Its venue, the „Várkert Bazár” is one of the most beautiful place on the bank of Danube, with a stunning view to the city center of Budapest.

The organisers would like to thank all the 196 participants from 38 countries the active participation in discussions and programs. 46 interesting lectures and oral presentations were heard and 48 posters were exhibited. When it came to the invitation of 52 speakers and chairs, the main goal of the scientific organisers was to present the most important scientific achievements of neurosonology – including diagnostics and therapy in the last 1-2 years.

22nd Meeting

From 19 to 21 May, 2017 the conference chairs PD Dr. Florian Connolly, Prof. Dr. Stephan Schreiber
and Prof. Dr. med. José Valdueza invited medical experts as well as young professionals to the 22nd
Meeting of the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics in Berlin. More than
300 participants from 46 countries followed that invitation and spent three wonderful days in the lively
capital city of Germany.

Due to the 240 abstracts that have been submitted the organizers were glad to present an ambitious and highly diversified scientific programme. This year’s conference came with the well-known
combination of education and science, however, the topics were extended considerably – following
recent years’ development within the fields of peripheral nerve and muscle ultrasound as well as in the
field of ultrasound guided interventions. In addition, the program focused on topics overlapping with
rheumatology and neurosurgery. Theory and research were combined with educative live
presentations.

For the industrial exhibition a wide spectrum of established as well as new companies on the market
were called. 11 sponsors and exhibitors supported the conference generously and presented their
products within the exhibition in order to enable the delegates to get a good impression of today’s
diagnostic options.

Last but not least the motto of the gala dinner „The Roaring Twentys” provided the setting for an
unforgettable evening and offered the opportunity for mutual exchange and networking in the unique
atmosphere of the restaurant 12 Apostel beneath the arches of the Berlin city train.

22nd Meeting - Lecture: History of the Charité

At our 22nd meeting in Berlin in 2017, Prof. Valdueza gave an impressive lecture on the history of the legendary Charité University Hospital in Berlin, which reflects the moving history of the Charité in a most exceptional way in the historical context. We are delighted to be able to make this presentation available to our members of the Society and the visitors of our Website. If you are interested please at the link below.

Summary

This demonstrates that the ESNCH can look back on a long and eventful history and that it will have a very auspicious future, too. Today it is characterised as the presently most successful neurosonology group in the world with the No.1-forum for the transfer of new ideas. Our members define the neurovascular standards in Europe and beyond. Furthermore the officers of our Society have strong relations to other important European neurological societies, as the EFNS Task Forces or the European Stroke Council, which makes it strong and influential. Besides it annually supports the International Congress on Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics which is held in annually changing European countries. The advantages for our members are very manifold. While other societies are mainly anonymous in the majority of cases, the ESNCH provides familiarity. Besides our members get the latest news and the highest level of knowledge in the cerebrovascular field. They get also updated and detailed information about the clinical meaning of ultrasound in acute and chronic cerebrovascular diseases. Furthermore our society is an excellent forum for young researchers to present their work and to gain experience, since the members of the ESNCH represent a medical elite. There is also an add-value for sonographers, namely the exchange of knowledge and the potential scientific collaboration above the clinical routine.